Hi there and welcome! You're seeking the best photographer for your wedding and there are so many options, packages and styles and it can be overwhelming. Below are a handful of helpful topics I compiled to make this process easier for you.

You're engaged!! I know how excited you are, glancing at your new shiny ring 100 times a day and loving the reactions of your friends and family when you tell them "I'm engaged!".

With my experience as a bride and as a professional photographer, I want to share a few tips that will help you find the best person to capture the beautiful moments that will tell the story of your wedding day.

Here are my top tips for hiring your wedding photographer.

1. LIKE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER. Photographic style is first and foremost, but a close second to loving the images, is to be sure you really like the personality of your photographer. Once you've narrowed down a handful of websites that you love, spend some time connecting with each photographer either on the phone, video chat or in person. Your photographer is a key part of the day and timeliness and friendliness can set the tone for the entire wedding.

2. INQUIRE WITH HEART. I get so excited when I receive an inquiry that is personal and tells me a little bit about the wedding day and couple. It's the beginning to a sincere connection and friendship that I find very important to me and my photography. So when emailing potential photographers, resist the urge to save time with a generic cut and paste inquiry and give it some heart. It's a great way to start the conversation.

3. BUDGET BLUES. We all have had them at one point or another. If you have your heart set on a photographer but the package is just out of range, be honest with her. This scenario has happened with several of my couples and we found a way to work together. Sometimes it's having the wedding on a weekday or perhaps you can get away with 5-6 hours instead of 8 hours. Let her know what budget you're trying to work within and ask if she has any creative ideas, "Because I love your work and my heart is set!"

4. WE TRAVEL! Most photographers love to travel and experience new locations (I do!), so when you're searching for your perfect wedding photographer, consider looking outside of your area. Don't be afraid to reach out to someone you've been following on Instagram. It never hurts to ask.

Lastly, all I can say is have fun with the process. Yes it can be a bit stressful at times, but do your best to prioritize the details that are important to the two of you and embrace this exciting time!

Finding a photographer is a new experience and it’s totally normal to have no idea where to begin. “We don’t even know what to ask you” has been such a recurring statement to me, so I thought, hey, why don’t I create a guide just for you!

There are plenty of photographer guides out there, but what I’ve learned in my years as a professional photographer is it’s not so much gear and technicality, but rather personality and approach. Your photographer’s demeanor and personality can either add to the joy of your day or bring strain. These questions are designed to ensure you are a perfect fit for each other.

Feel free to use these questions when chatting with me or any other photographer you’re considering. Be yourself. Add, improvise or ask in your own words. This is just a starting point so you can get that conversation flowing and get closer to selecting the best wedding photographer for you.

1. How long have you been photographing weddings?Note: More years is not necessarily better, but it’s a good starting point to get a sense of experience.

2. Do you recommend a 2nd photographer for every wedding?Note: More is not always better and a 2nd photographer is not always necessary, so it’s good to have the dialogue about what is best for your wedding.

3. Can you tell me how you approach photographing the ceremony? Do you get up close? Do you stay in the back?Note: Some photographers get up and close; some stand in the aisle the predominant time and others move about while keeping in the back. Think of what is most important to you during this time. Is the sanctity of the moment with minimal distractions important or are up close emotions more important?

4. What elements do you (as a photographer) enjoy the most during the wedding day?Note: If the details and sunset portraits are really important to you, listen to see if the photographer responds with this same answer. Once again, it doesn’t necessarily matter that you’re 100% on the same page, but it does help when the photographer sincerely enjoys the same things you do.

5. How do you handle the situation if you’re too ill or injured to photograph our wedding?Note: Listen for a very solid and confident back up plan that is already in place. It’s very unlikely but it’s wise to have a plan that is also noted in the contract.

6. How do you handle if things don’t go exactly as planned? For instance:If the timeline gets jumbled?If one of our family members insists on taking some photos?If we end up needing more time at the end?Note: Every wedding has a set timeline and every wedding has changes along the way. It’s normal. Listen for friendliness and flexibility in the answers. You don’t want your photographer adding any additional stress to the day.

7. Family portraits are (a) very important to us or (b) important but we don’t want it to take a lot of time. How do you get our diverse group organized and in place? And how much time do you allot for this?Note: Does the photographer have a plan for portraits? Each photographer approaches this slightly different, so listen to make sure their plan and timing sounds like it’s a good fit for you.

8. Do you use a flash(s) during the evening? When do you decide to use it or not?Note: On/Off-Camera flash can be helpful and… it can be disruptive. Ask to see specific examples and consider this when making your final decision.

Professional photography is a wonderful blend of skill, experience, kindness, joy and authenticity and I hope you found this guide helpful!

I believe in the beauty of quality, versus quantity and sometimes that also means that more is not necessarily better.

Professional photography is not only a honed skill, but it’s a very personal experience to me. I pride myself on being calm, quiet and as unobtrusive as I possibly can throughout the wedding day and because of that I tend to work solo more often.

Years of experience has taught me where to stand and how to quickly move about so I’m able to capture many moments and emotions as they happen.

With that said, if your wedding calls for an additional photographer, because of the timeline, guest count or expanse of property, I’ll happily be ready to bring a very skilled and friendly photographer with me. There’s an old saying that I’ve chuckled over for years and my husband can whole-heartedly agree… I’m very easy going, but I’m very particular and that is most evident when I decide who accompanies me at a wedding.

As a bride once myself and a photographer who has witnessed hundreds of weddings, I have a few thoughts on this popular topic. Before I share my thoughts, I want to emphasize that which ever decision you and your spouse-to-be decide upon, is the correct path you should take.

YES

If you’re a little shy and possibly a big crier, it’s nice to shake off those jitters and tears in a private setting. Let your photographer snap away from afar. They will likely be some of your most tender, favorite photos.

Join your cocktail reception! Capturing your family and wedding party portraits before the ceremony allows you to mingle, hug and laugh with all of the people that traveled to see you.

I married my very best friend. Spending 36 hours apart before the wedding was like eternity. By the time I walked to the altar, I couldn’t wait to say hi, to hug him, to ask how his night went. I even made an attempt at whispering that I liked the tie he picked out and the officiant shoosh'ed me. If I could have done a 1st look, I would have.

Your photography timeline will likely need to increase which might strain the budget. This also means your hair & makeup has to be done earlier; in some cases 2-3 hours before the ceremony. Check with your beauty team and wedding coordinator!

If guests are staying at the same property as you are, you might be seen during the 1st look and family portraits.

NO

I believe the number one reason why couples lean towards No is because they envision that something will be diminished by seeing each other before the wedding and that special spark will be lost. I see a lot of subtle emotions through my lens and every one of my couples who had a private moment together before, smiled just as big, still teared-up and seemed just as joyful as if it was the first time. With that said…

If you dream of that slow, breathtaking aisle moment and truly worry about anything being lost if you stray from tradition, then say no and stand firm. It’s the right choice.

Family and wedding party portraits will need to be taken during the cocktail reception if you choose not to do a 1st look. However, it’s definitely possible to still be a part of your cocktail reception with some pre-planning and possibly a slightly longer reception! I work with each of my couples on an efficient family portrait list and if it’s kept to immediate family, all of those important groupings can be done as quick as 15 mins and you’ll still have time to mingle.

Ask a friend who is recently married. Ask what they did. Were there pros or cons? Would they do the same again?

You'll cherish those quiet moments and photos between you two, so if you decide to skip the 1st look, consider taking a few private minutes after the ceremony together. Walk down that aisle and keep walking to your designated private spot. Inviting me along if I promise to snap from afar makes me extra happy!

When hiring a professional photographer, it's more than just seeing pretty pictures. There's an art, a dance, seasoned knowledge that comes into play and I believe a photographer can make or break the guest's experience almost entirely on the use of the flash.

In a nutshell, the flash can really add to the quality of an image, but I still use it sparingly. In this next photographic example, each couple was lined-up for a posed photo before they entered the barrel room dinner. They expected me. They were smiling and ready. I used flash to give the image the best quality I could.

Once dinner began, there were boisterous toasts, throw your head back laughter and lean in close chats. The light was crazy low. Yet I turned off my flash. The importance of not disturbing any of the moments was great. I took over 100 images during dinner and if I had my flash on, I can only imagine what an annoyance I would have been. Instead, I pretty much blended into the evening and the guests barely gave me a glance.

I find this to be an important attribute when hiring a professional. There might be a few photographers who disagree with me and that's perfectly fine. What's important is that you find and hire someone that fits into your vision and fulfills the experience that you hope to have.